“I cannot overstate how deeply I was touched – and broken open – by this experience… If you are looking for an experience that may enable you to truly reclaim your life and give you far more than you could ever have imagined, this is it.” – Vladislav D.
Our mission is to bring about a healed relationship between the human world and the natural world, as well as the healing of individual, family and cultural wounds. Our ceremonial container is spacious, allowing for the richness of both individual and cultural diversity. We see ourselves as guides, mid-wives and fierce protectors of the sacred container of transformation. By marking and honoring life-cycle changes, we weave together the individual and collective stories of our lives, growing in our capacity to live from our deepest values and visions. Together with the earth, we embrace and embody our place in the unfolding story of the cosmos.
Since our founding as a non-profit organization in 1977, we have guided thousands of adults and youth from a wide variety of backgrounds, occupations and geographic locations. We offer a range of modern and ancient tools to participants, with a focus on learning about oneself and one’s gifts in the context of the natural world. This work resonates with people in diverse life situations and anyone longing for a deeper sense of purpose in their lives.
Our Values
Integrity: We conduct our business with impeccable honesty and transparency, with the intention of offering our best in service to our clients.
Sacred Trust: We honor, respect and support each participant in their intention and their journey.
Challenge: We ask our participants to be self-reflective and courageous as they lean into the teachings of the wilderness.
Soul-based Learning: We support and empower people to discover and bring back the deep “medicine” they hold inside themselves for the benefit of their lives and all life.
Nature-based: Our work is rooted and grounded in the natural world. We walk with humility in the presence of the Mother Earth that sustains us and helps bring about healing and transformation.
Universally Sourced: Our work is based on a pan-cultural model of what it is to be human. We value the diverse systems of meaning–cultural, spiritual, ethnic, familial–that our clients bring.
Deep Healing: Our work is capable of holding and transforming personal, family and community wounds. We provide the opportunity for continuing support after the program ends, including connection with a community of initiated adults.
Rites of Passage can work with individuals or groups to create customized programs, from one day Day Quests, to weekend programs, multi-day workshops, and nine day Wilderness Quests. Contact us for more information.
Rites of Passage does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age or disability. The USDA has requested that we post the following announcement:
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.
To file a complaint alleging discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provided in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (a) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (b) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (c) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit; all donations are tax-deductible. Gifts are used to fund scholarships for participants who cannot afford the full tuition. Go to Donations to make a secure online donation through PayPal.